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Cartographers Contemplate Response to Trump’s Proposed Changes in Geographical Names


In a recent move, President Donald Trump has ordered the Gulf of Mexico to be renamed as the Gulf of America, sparking discussions among mapmakers, educators, and world leaders. This change is in line with Trump’s “America First” worldview, but it is unclear how many will follow his lead. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum jokingly suggested renaming North America as “Mexican America” in response.

The politics of map names are complex and varied. Map lines are inherently political, representing territories that are important to different nations. The naming of boundaries and features across the Earth lacks a standardized scheme, leading to disputes and controversies. Trump’s executive order to rename national treasures in honor of American heroes has raised questions on what the Gulf of Mexico should be called, with some suggesting it remains internationally recognized.

Despite Trump’s decree, major map applications like Google and Apple have not yet changed the names of the Gulf of Mexico and Mount McKinley back to their original titles. National Geographic, a prominent mapmaker, has a policy to include explanatory notes for disputed place names. The Associated Press will refer to the Gulf of Mexico by its original name while acknowledging the name Gulf of America.

Discussions on social media reflect the complexity of renaming geographical features. While some support the change to Gulf of America, others question the necessity and practicality of such a change. The renaming of geographical features has historically sparked controversy and raised questions about whose perspectives and priorities are being reflected.

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Photo credit www.pbs.org

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